Who Cares?

Tara was hurrying across campus, heading towards her dorm from the library. Head down in usual Tara fashion, eyes searching for things that go bump in the night. She may have looked unaware of her surroundings, but she was very much on alert. Being close to midnight, she was berating herself for losing track of time. She almost missed the person slouched on the bench, just catching the shape out of the corner of her eye.

Buffy sat slouched on the bench totally oblivious to her surroundings, staring off into space, trying to forget about being in Heaven and her debauchery with Spike. She never noticed Tara's approach as she pulled her knees to her chest, resting her head on her knees.

Tara did a double take, stumbling to a halt. She quickly searched the area for any threats, thinking Buffy was using herself as bait. That idea fled her head as she watched Buffy curl up and put her head down. Her heart skipped a beat or two, and then lodged itself in her throat. She took a deep breath and wiped a tear from her eye before she headed towards the Slayer.

Tara coughed softly and started to speak in a gentle tone. "I don't mean to startle you, 'cause that would probably get me hurt, so I'll just talk softly as I stroll on over."

Buffy turned her head to the side, looking up at Tara as she stopped beside her.

"Mind if I sit?" Tara sat as Buffy patted the bench beside her. "At first I thought you were using yourself as bait, but I didn't see anything lurking about, except for me." Tara looked around before turning back to Buffy. "But, then I figured it out." She smirked, tugging at Buffy's sleeve.

Buffy raised an eyebrow, never lifting her head.

Tara giggled as she reached out and flipped the hood of Buffy's red sweatshirt over her head. "You were afraid to go to Grandma's house, 'cause you lost your little basket."

Buffy raised both her brows. "Are you the Big Bad Wolf come to eat me?"

Tara's brows shot up as her mouth fell open. She started to giggle at Buffy's innocent look. "You are aware…" She spoke slowly as she ran her eyes up and down Buffy's small form. "That you're asking a lesbian that question?" Tara gave her a seductive smile and winked. "I'd probably just nibble for a while."

Buffy's head snapped up, her eyes huge. "Oh, God!" She slapped her hands over a face that was starting to turn bright red. "That was so not what I meant."

Tara started to laugh as she sat back on the bench.

"Where’s shy Tara, and what have you done with her?" Buffy peeked through her fingers at Tara's smiling face.

"I t-think she had a Xander m-m-moment." Tara started blushing, lowering her head and letting her hair fall forward. "I c-can't b-believe I said t-that."

Buffy uncovered her face, reaching out to push Tara's hair behind her ear. "Don't." She finally unfolded herself, putting her feet on the ground. "Please don't hide." She gave Tara a small smile.

Tara's eyes dropped momentarily, she took in a deep breath as she looked up into Buffy's eyes. "I won't, if you don't?" Tara held Buffy's eyes.

After a couple of moments Buffy shook her head slightly and a small smile came to her face. "I don't think you'd let me." She nodded her head and held out her hand. "Deal."

Tara took her hand with an easy smile. "Deal."

Buffy didn't release the warmth of Tara's hand as she looked down at their hands. After a moment she looked up to find Tara's eyes also coming up from looking at their hands.

Tara locked eyes with Buffy. After what seemed like hours, but was only about a minute, Tara squeezed Buffy's hand. She smiled as she heard Buffy let out the breath she didn't know she was holding.

Buffy blinked and smiled at Tara. "So, Ms. Maclay, may I walk you to your room?"

"Please." Tara gave a lopsided smile. "I would very much enjoy that, Ms. Summers. Thank you."

Buffy stood and grabbed Tara's backpack, and then helped Tara off the bench. "It would be my pleasure."

Tara moved her hand within Buffy's to entwine their fingers, giving her hand a slight squeeze.

Buffy looked up at Tara, and smiled. Then she chuckled and smirked at Tara.

Tara raised a brow in question.

"So, you'd just nibble for a while?" Buffy started to giggle as Tara blushed.

Tara started to laugh. "You should have seen your face when you realized what I was talking about." Tara butted shoulders with the Slayer. "I don't think I've ever seen that shade of red coming from you before."

Buffy giggled, suddenly she snorted and started laughing, leaning into Tara. "I can't believe either one of us said what we did."

"What, you don't think you're nibbleable?" Tara giggled.

"Nibbleable?" Buffy snorted. "Is that even a word?"

Tara shrugged and chuckled. "How 'bout edible?" Tara wiggled her brows. "Is that better?"

"I think the shy Wiccan has left the campus again." Buffy smiled at Tara.

"Another Xander moment?" Tara shrugged with a lopsided smile.

"Not quite." Buffy grinned. "You didn't have the glassy eyed ‘I'm in Fantasyland’ look in your eyes, and the drool running down your chin."

"I was afraid to go there." Tara chuckled.

"Afraid?" Buffy raised a brow.

Tara gave a seductive smile. "I'd enjoy the visual too much." Tara chuckled at the surprised look on Buffy's face. "Why does that surprise you, Buffy? You're a very attractive woman." Tara bumped shoulders with her. "Plus you have that whole Slayer thing going for you, very sexy."

Buffy blushed, and Tara squeezed her hand. "Thank you." Buffy squeezed back gently. "It's nice to know I've been appraised."

"Oh! You've definitely been appraised. More than once."

Buffy raised a brow.

Tara blushed. "I said that out loud, didn't I?"

Buffy grinned at Tara. "Yes, you did." She squeezed Tara's hand again as she guided her up the steps to her dorm and held the door open for her.

Tara released Buffy's hand to unlock her door. Pushing the door open, she stepped in, turning to see Buffy staring at her hand. Tara watched for a moment. She smiled as she flipped on the fairy lights, and went to light a few candles around the room. Walking back to the door she reached out and took Buffy's hand, gently tugging her into the room.

Buffy looked up and blushed at Tara's amused look. "Sorry."

Tara shook her head and reached for her backpack still on Buffy's shoulder. "Would you like something to drink?" She set her pack down and closed the door. "There's juice, water, tea or coffee? Coffee's instant, though."

"Water's fine, thanks." Buffy looked around the room. Tara had put up her fairy lights, but hadn't done much else with the room. She still had boxes stacked along the wall. Not many personal items were set out.

Tara got Buffy's water, turned and walked to her bed as she watched Buffy look around the bare room. Tara sat on her bed and moved back to sit on the far side, against the headboard. She patted the bed beside her when Buffy turned around.

Buffy raised a brow. "Are you trying to get me into bed, Ms. Maclay?"

Tara smiled. "Damn! You figured out my devious plan." She chuckled. "I guess grabbing you and throwing you down on it, is out of the question?" She held out the bottle of water for Buffy.

As Buffy reached for the bottle, Tara pulled it back slightly. Buffy giggled. "Is this your way of luring me into bed now?"

"I have to get you close enough to throw you down." Tara smiled and wiggled her brows. "You can sit in the chair if you want." She handed Buffy the bottle. "Personally I find the floor more comfy than the chair. I think it was designed and built by the Marquis de Sade for torture purposes."

Buffy laughed as she sat next to Tara on the bed. "I think they do it on purpose. Give you the most uncomfortable chairs, so you don't fall asleep studying."

"I guess I can forget about that recliner I requested?" Tara frowned as if upset.

Buffy moved up against the headboard next to Tara. "I think that will be a big no!" She sipped her water.

"Damn! I had the spot for it all picked out, too." Tara stuck out her lower lip in a pout.

Buffy snorted. "You should request it in person." She reached out and lightly traced Tara's lower lip. "Show them that pout, they'll give you anything you ask for."

Tara smiled as she reached up to take Buffy's hand. "You think so?"

Buffy nodded. "Definitely."

"Good." Tara nudged Buffy's shoulder. "Take off all your clothes." She pouted again then broke out into giggles when Buffy's mouth fell open.

"I think research is in order. We have to find out what happened to the shy Wiccan?" Buffy nudged Tara's shoulder with a smile.

Tara laid her head on Buffy's shoulder. "No research needed. The shy Wiccan is still very much here."

Buffy squeezed Tara's hand, leaning her head against Tara's. "That's good, 'cause I kinda like having her around."

"She'll be here for you." Tara nodded her head, her tone soft but holding a note of promise.

"I'm glad. 'Cause right now I think she's my lifeline." Buffy squeezed Tara's hand. "I think tonight was the first time I've laughed."

"Me, too." Tara tilted her head a bit to look up at Buffy. "It was nice to see the twinkle in your eyes again. And I've really missed that laugh." Tara smiled.

Buffy smiled back at Tara. "It was nice." Buffy looked around the room again, she set her water on the nightstand. Turning back to Tara, she brushed the hair off her face and behind Tara's ear. "How have you been?" Buffy reached for Tara's other hand.

Tara watched Buffy's hand go down to hers. She played with Buffy's fingers for a moment before shifting her eyes back to Buffy's. "Pretty much like you, I guess. Surviving day to day."

"You know, I didn't realize before, I miss you." Buffy smiled at Tara.

Tara smiled and blushed slightly, squeezing Buffy's hands. "I've missed you, too. I've missed everyone." Tara's eyes started to tear up.

Buffy released one of Tara's hands, putting her arm around her and pulling her closer.

The move of comfort from Buffy had the tears falling. Tara buried her face in Buffy's neck.

Buffy pulled on Tara's other hand, getting her to turn in further. Then she released her hand and wrapped her other arm around her. "I didn't think about it, but when you left, you didn't just leave Willow, you left everyone."

That brought a sob from Tara, along with a nod. Tara wrapped her arm around Buffy's waist, and grabbed her shirt in a fist.

Buffy rested her head against Tara's, rubbing her back. "I'm sorry." Buffy just held the woman, letting her cry herself out. She didn't realize she had tears running down her own cheeks.

Tara released her grip on Buffy's sweatshirt, and pulled her head back a little to look up at Buffy. She reached up and gently brushed the tears from Buffy's face. She chuckled at Buffy's surprised look.

Buffy narrowed her eyes in intimidation.

That only caused Tara to start giggling. "If only the vamps and demons of Sunnydale could see the Big Bad Slayer now." She grinned at Buffy.

Buffy huffed. "Sure, yuck it up." She smiled at Tara.

"I like seeing this side of ‘The Slayer’." Tara put her arm back around Buffy's waist. "I'd bet not many see it?" Tara kicked off her sneakers.

"No, they don't. You're one of the chosen few." She grinned at Tara. "Now that you have, I'm gonna have to tickle ya." She started tickling Tara.

Tara squealed and tried to squirm away from Buffy. She tried to retaliate but couldn't do too much, she was laughing too hard. "Uncle! Uncle! No more, please. I can't breathe." Tara was breathing hard trying to catch her breath. She reached up and entwined her fingers with Buffy's. Buffy was straddling her hips threatening to tickle again. "No more, please. Unfair Slayer advantage."

Buffy smiled down at Tara. "I don't think tickling is a Slayer skill. Then again, I never did get the handbook."

Tara chuckled. "That pisses you off, doesn't it? Never getting it?"

Buffy shrugged and laughed. "I don't think I've ever followed the guidelines anyway, so if they gave me one I probably wouldn't have either. Plus extra reading, you know how I am about the research." She grinned.

"Maybe if they had one with pictures and diagrams." Tara winked at her.

Buffy laughed and fell to the bed beside Tara. "Probably still wouldn't have helped."

"True. The demon books have pictures, but those don't thrill you either." Tara released Buffy's hand, and ran her own down Buffy's leg that was still draped across her to her boot. She looked back at Buffy. "Did Dawn go to Janice's tonight?"

Buffy nodded.

"Good." Tara grabbed the heel of the boot and pulled it off, throwing it on the floor.

Buffy raised a brow.

Tara sat up and reached for the other one. "Bend your leg." Though awkward, she managed to pull off the other boot when Buffy did. Then she lay back down and grinned at Buffy. "Then you don't have to go home tonight." Tara rubbed Buffy's calf, and squeezed her hand. "I don't want you to go."

Buffy nodded. "I didn't want to go either." She squeezed Tara's hand and moved her head to the Wiccan’s shoulder.

Tara smiled. "That works out well then." She kissed the top of Buffy's head. "How 'bout I get us something comfy to sleep in?"

"I'm pretty comfy right now." Buffy wiggled her head a little.

Tara chuckled and rubbed Buffy's leg. "You can have your pillow back, I promise." She kissed Buffy's head again. "I have to get up anyway."

"Damn Mother Nature." Buffy smiled at Tara as she moved off of her.

Tara squeezed Buffy's hand as she got up off the bed. She went to the closet and pulled out two pairs of sweats, a couple towels, and face clothes. Bringing them back to hand Buffy a set, she smiled. "They'll be big, but they're comfy." Tara went over to her desk, opened a drawer and pulled out a new toothbrush. She turned to Buffy and held out the toothbrush.

Buffy looked at it, and raised a brow as she looked at Tara. "Expecting company? It's my color, too."

Tara opened the drawer again, stepping back so Buffy could look in. There were two other toothbrushes in the drawer, one in Dawn's color, one in Willow's. "Force of habit." Tara shrugged.

Buffy nodded and closed the drawer. "Lucky for me." She gave Tara a small smile.

Tara nodded. "Otherwise we'd have to share mine." She smiled at Buffy. "Whether you change here or in the bathroom." Tara picked up her toiletries bag and headed for the door. "I'm headed down the hall with the toothpaste and whatever else you might need." She smiled at Buffy and opened the door.

"I'll change here and meet you there."

Tara nodded and closed the door on her way out.

Buffy met up with Tara in the bathroom after she changed.

Tara was grateful she hadn't quite started brushing her teeth. When Buffy walked into the bathroom, Tara turned her head. Suddenly she snorted, and burst into laughter.

Buffy stopped in her tracks. She crossed her arms over her chest, tapped her foot, and scowled at Tara.

That ended up making Tara laugh harder. She stumbled over to Buffy and turned her around, so she could see herself in the mirror.

Buffy glared at Tara in the mirror, she then looked at herself and started chuckling. She turned back to Tara. "Okay. But it's still not that funny."

"It's is to me." Tara kept laughing, wiping tears from her cheeks. Buffy glared at her again, which had Tara falling into Buffy in laughter. "You're not real intimidating when you look like that."

Buffy pouted.

"Now you look like a cute little kid, pouting."

Buffy narrowed her eyes again.

"Not gonna work, Slayer." Tara turned and headed back to the sinks.

Still pouting, Buffy headed to the sinks. "Not gonna win, am I?"

"Not this time." Tara smiled and leaned over kissing Buffy's forehead. "Now brush your teeth and wash your face." Tara chuckled. "Don't forget to wash behind your ears."

"Not funny." Buffy pouted again.

Tara kept chuckling while they were in the bathroom. Heading back to the room, Tara grabbed Buffy's hand walking down the hall. "Don't want you getting lost." She grinned at Buffy.

"Are you gonna make fun of me all night?" Buffy's brows furrowed.

Tara squeezed her hand. "Maybe." She smiled at Buffy.

"Umm. I meant to mention this when I went into the bathroom, but we know what happened there." She glared at Tara, who smiled. "Unless you have your key, I might have locked us out." She stuck her lower lip out at Tara in a pout. "Wasn't my fault, I didn't know it was locked 'til after I closed it."

Tara took a deep breath and let it out loudly. "Kids." Then she smiled at Buffy. "Good thing you can break the doorknob, or I can magically unlock it. But I'll show you something that's even better."

They stopped in front of the door. "Reach about a foot to the left of the doorknob." Buffy looked at her and Tara nodded. "Now go up about three feet. Put your hand against the wall and feel around." She grinned when Buffy found the nail with the key there. "Never get locked out that way."

"Cool!" Buffy grinned and unlocked the door. "Is that a glamour spell?"

Tara smiled and nodded. "I see you're getting better with the magic knowledge."

Buffy found the nail and put the key back. "I kinda had to, with my two favorite Wiccan's around." Buffy smiled as she walked into the room and shut the door.

"Favorite?" Tara grinned. "How 'bout only?" Then she frowned. "I guess not anymore, though." Tara set all her things on the desk, she shook her head to rid herself of thoughts of Willow and Amy. "So, favorite?" Tara turned back to Buffy and smiled.

"You're at the top of the list at the moment." She smiled at Tara. She waited for a big smile from Tara, and then she narrowed her eyes. "But you're dropping fast making fun of me."

Tara pouted. "Do I get points for thinking you're cute?" She gave a lopsided smile.

"Oh God!" Buffy dropped her head. "I can't win."

Tara smiled and reached for Buffy's hand, pulling her towards the bed. "Sure you can." She pulled Buffy on the bed. "Just not against me." She grinned. "Not tonight, anyway." She settled herself under the blanket. "Thanks for turning down the bed."

"Welcome. Did you want me to put out the candles?" Buffy hesitated getting settled.

Tara smiled her lopsided smile. "Well you could get up and do that, or..." She pulled Buffy down next to her. "I can do it from here." She wiggled her fingers at Buffy.

"Silly me." Buffy smiled and covered up. She settled back on the pillow and looked at the ceiling for a minute. She turned her head to Tara.

Tara was looking at her with a raised brow. Then she gave a lopsided smile and opened her arms to Buffy.

Buffy smiled and moved into her arms, resting her head on Tara's shoulder. "Thank you." She snuggled in closer.

"I told you that you could have your pillow back." Tara kissed her head.

"You did. And you were right about the sweats. They are comfy. Even if you do make fun of me." She pouted.

"I'm not making fun of you." Tara hugged her tight. She reached down and tapped Buffy's thigh. "Leg." She pulled Buffy's leg back over her and rubbed her thigh. "I just think you look really cute in those." She grinned at Buffy. "Even if you do look like a little kid." She giggled.

Buffy pouted. "Not little." She stuck her lip out further.

"Goddess!" Tara traced Buffy's lip lightly. "You're adorable." Tara whispered.

Buffy kissed Tara's finger.

Tara's eyes shot up to Buffy's. She saw the twinkle in Buffy's eyes, and gave her a lopsided smile.

"I win!" Buffy sounded like a little kid.

Tara chuckled. "You win." She ran her fingers through Buffy's hair.

Buffy snuggled closer and tilted her face up to Tara's. "What do I win?" She still sounded like an excited little kid as she smiled up at Tara.

Tara smirked and chanted something.

Buffy's eyes flew open, the smile left her face. She blew out a breath when the candles went out.

Tara chuckled. "I'm not gonna turn you into a frog." She tapped Buffy's nose.

"You had me worried for a moment there."

Tara ran her fingers through Buffy's hair again.

"You would turn me back if you did though, right?" Buffy looked up at Tara with furrowed brows.

"In a heartbeat." Tara kissed Buffy's forehead. "I wouldn't do it in the first place, but if you did get turned into a frog, in a heartbeat."

Buffy nodded. "I knew you were a good witch." Buffy smiled at Tara.

Tara gave a lopsided smile. "It has nothing to do with being a good witch." Tara shook her head.

Buffy raised a brow. "It doesn't?"

"Nope." Tara grinned. "You know how many frogs I'd have to kiss, before I found you?"

"You'd do that for me?" Buffy looked into Tara's eyes, seeing the twinkle, but seriousness, also.

Tara held Buffy's eyes and whispered. "In a heartbeat." Then she leaned forward and gently kissed Buffy's lips.

Buffy blinked and smiled at Tara. "I win."

Tara nodded. "You win."

Buffy leaned up and kissed Tara again. She held the kiss a little longer. She pulled back looking into Tara's eyes, she smiled. "I like winning."

"You can win all you want." Tara gave her a lopsided smile.

Buffy reached up and pulled Tara's head down to her. "I want." Buffy kissed her again, and again.

They pulled back taking deep breaths, Buffy looking into Tara's eyes. She drew in a shocked breath, at the look of love she saw there. She whimpered softly, leaned up and pressed her lips into Tara's again. Shifting she moved Tara back to the pillow, not breaking the kiss. She rose above Tara tilting her head she trailed her tongue along the Wiccan’s upper lip.

Tara moaned softly. She parted her lips slightly.

Buffy traced the parted lips asking for entrance.

Tara moaned again, reached up and ran her fingers through Buffy's hair. With her hand on the back of Buffy's head, Tara moaned, parted her lips, and pulled Buffy down to her.

Buffy moaned when Tara let her in. Slowly she explored Tara's mouth.

Tara slowly broke the kiss. Taking a deep breath, she opened her eyes to look into Buffy's. Taking a few more deep breaths, Tara moved Buffy back to her lips. This time Buffy moaned as Tara thoroughly explored her mouth. Slowly they broke the kiss. Tara giving a couple of gentle kisses, smiled at Buffy.

Buffy opened her eyes slowly. "Wow!" She whispered, breathing heavily.

Tara nodded her head, smiling as she panted for breath. "I'll second that."

Buffy gave her a quick kiss and rested her head on Tara's shoulder.

Tara ran her fingers through Buffy's hair, she kissed her forehead. "Are you okay?" She rubbed Buffy's back.

Buffy nodded her head and kissed Tara's neck. "Oh, yeah!" She grinned at Tara. "Just letting you catch your breath."

"Good." Tara gave a lopsided smile. “’Cause I like you taking my breath away."

Buffy smiled as she moved to straddle Tara's hips. She gave Tara a quick peck on the lips, and then sat up.

Tara trailed her hands up Buffy's thighs to her hips. She sat up and took Buffy's lips again. Kissing her deeply, she wrapped her arms around Buffy, pulling her back down to the bed on top of her. Buffy moaned as Tara ran her hands up and down her back to her butt, where she squeezed the firm flesh.

Buffy moaned again, her hips pressing into Tara. She broke the kiss and moaned. "Oh, God, Tara!" She whimpered and hungrily kissed her again.

Moaning, Tara’s hips rose up to press into Buffy as she squeezed Buffy's ass and pulled her tighter to her.

Buffy whimpered again as she pressed her hips down into Tara. She ended the kiss slowly, kissing her way down Tara's neck.

Tara rubbed Buffy's ass, she then moved her hands up to rub her back. Tara felt the tears run down her neck as Buffy buried her face there. She pulled her head back and kissed Buffy's forehead. Tara rested her cheek on Buffy's head, whispering in her ear as she hugged her tight in comfort. "I've got you, Baby." She kissed her head. "I've got you." Tara smiled a small smile, she knew what was coming. "I've got you, Baby." She kissed Buffy's ear. "Let it out, Baby. Let go."

A sob broke from Buffy as she grabbed the shoulders of Tara's sweatshirt in her fists. She was trying to fight it, but the emotions were too much. She took a shuddering breath, the floodgates opening with an anguished wail. Buffy was feeling things she hadn't felt for a very long time, the emotions were overwhelming.

Tara knew that when Buffy's emotions came back to her, it would be explosive. Right now she did the only thing she could for the Slayer, she held her. Tara held Buffy, rubbing her back and letting her know she was there for her. Kissing her head and murmuring in her ear, occasionally crying along with her.

Buffy started to calm down, or so she thought.

Tara kissed Buffy's ear and whispered. "Welcome back, Buffy Summers. I'm glad you're finally home."

Buffy let out another sob.

Tara kissed her temple and rubbed her back, down to her ass and back a few times, she then hugged her tight.

Buffy started crying again. When she calmed down again, she started to hiccup.

With a smile on her face, Tara pulled her head back to look at Buffy. Tara's smile grew at the sight of Buffy. She had to bite her lip to keep from chuckling.

Buffy looked at Tara with tears in her eyes, pouting lower lip that trembled, and hiccupped again.

Tara chuckled. "Goddess, you're adorable." She brought a hand around to trace Buffy's lower lip with a fingertip. She moved her eyes from Buffy's lip to her eyes as she brought her hand up to wipe away Buffy's tears. Brushing her knuckles lightly across one cheek, down to trace her jaw line, she cupped Buffy's cheek. She used her thumb to trace Buffy's lip, slowly leaning forward to bring her lips to Buffy's. Her lips had no sooner touched Buffy's, when Buffy hiccupped again. Tara started laughing against Buffy's lips.

Buffy hiccupped and groaned. She buried her face in Tara's neck again as she got bounced around on Tara's chest as she laughed.

Tara ran her fingers through Buffy's hair. She calmed her laughter down as Buffy kept hiccupping. "You okay?" She kissed Buffy's head when she nodded. "Want some water?"

Buffy shook her head no, and hiccupped.

Tara listened to Buffy hiccup for a couple of minutes. Then she smirked. "Take your clothes off."

Buffy sucked in a breath.

Tara started to giggle, she pulled back to look at Buffy. "Did I scare you?"

Buffy, eyes were wide open with brows buried, narrowed her eyes at Tara. "Ha- (hiccup) ha." She pouted. "And no, it didn't work."

Tara pouted.